Shotguns and knives at Phoenix Comicon

Someone reported the man after seeing threats he'd made on social media toward the police, including photos of officers he'd taken at the Con. He was apprehended; PHXCC responded by outlawing prop weapons for the event and adopting tighter security measures. If you're headed to this Con this weekend, you may want to give yourself extra time to get in and out of the different buildings and adjust your cosplay as needed.

Here's what you can expect:

3 dedicated access points for people with badges - 3rd Street at Monroe, 3rd Street at Washington, 2nd Street between Washington and Monroe

Only 1 access point for people who need to pick up their badge - 3rd Street at Monroe

All costume props - shields, sabers, etc - are not allowed. If you buy a prop on site, the vendor will wrap it and it will have to stay that way. PHXCC prefers you take your purchased weapon to your car or hotel as soon as you can.

Any events or panels altered by today's security incident will be posted on the Phoenix Comicon site.

And that might be the end of this story - but it's not the end of the larger security issue, one I know most of us have been thinking about after the Manchester bombing. San Diego Comic-Con is high profile, the dense perimeter crowds offer an easy target for anyone without a badge, and half of everyone is masked or lugging packages around. When terrorists target 12-year-old girls at an Ariana Grande concert and mass shooters take on movie theatres, there's no reason why nerds - or the celebrities at SDCC - would be exempt.

And on a side note, I apologize for not posting much recently. My ex-partner and one of my best friends died last Friday. We went to our first San Diego Comic-Con in 2002 and every one thereafter through 2009, and I haven't much wanted to think or write about SDCC this last week. I'll be back to regular posting after Memorial Day.

ETA: Several people I've talked to are peeved because they worked hard on their cosplay and now they can't bring their cardboard props, light sabers, etc. PHXCC is giving refunds if you feel that strongly about it - you can email refund@phoenixcomicon.com. But I'd advise going anyhow.When you're not in cosplay and posing for photos, you can find all kinds of things to do at the Con.

I've also been asked if I think this will affect the Dick Van Dyke extravaganza on Saturday. My answer is no. However, I do think the line for general seating will be insane, so I'd advise getting your Exhibit Hall meanderings in today and scheduling line shifts with your friends for tomorrow.

That's how security functions. It probably was limited to him, but the publicity also announces to everyone that it was pretty easy to bring weapons into a high-profile event so they have to account for that too.

Valerie, very sorry to hear about the loss of your friend. I hope you can find some comfort in memories of your time together.

Thank you for taking the time, in spite of grieving, to address the very real security concerns. Last summer, you were the only site I saw that took time to tell us about the increased security measures, and I really appreciated it, then and now. In a culture that celebrates superheroes, you are definitely one of mine! We've had 3 great SDCC's with your advice, and we're looking forward to #4!